- Turn on the Bluetooth, Siri, and WiFi on your iPhone.
- On your iDrive 7 interface, press COM and then choose Mobile Devices.
- Now that Bluetooth is enabled on your iPhone, you should be able to choose your BMW.
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Wireless functionality
Apple CarPlay is not a stand-alone system; it requires your iOS smartphone to be connected to your vehicle at all times. Although Apple CarPlay apps are displayed on your BMW screen, the apps are still executed by your iPhone.
Thankfully, you can wirelessly connect your iPhone to BMW CarPlay over WiFi with this Apple CarPlay update for BMW. To couple the two, simply turn on Bluetooth on your iPhone and navigate to Settings > General > CarPlay on your iPhone. Once you’ve done that, each time you turn on your car, Carplay will automatically connect.
How do I configure Apple CarPlay?
You can move on to the iPhone/CarPlay configuration if you can confidently declare that you have ticked off all the boxes and that BMW Apple CarPlay is already operational in your iDrive. Here is how iDrive 7.0 renders it.
- Make sure the toggle switches for Bluetooth, WiFi, and Siri are all turned on in the iPhone’s Settings.
- Next, proceed to your iDrive interface and follow these steps: Check the Bluetooth, WiFi, and Apple CarPlay checkboxes by going to COM > Mobile Devices > Settings.
- Go to New Device > Phone calls and audio after the connection has been activated.
- Return to your iPhone and choose your BMW PIN from the menu under Settings > General > CarPlay.
- You will now be asked to confirm the PIN, Bluetooth, and other connection requests on your mobile device and the iDrive screen as your iPhone will now start partnering with your BMW.
- Finally, select the option to connect to Apple CarPlay on your iDrive screen, and your CarPlay setup will be finished.
You may now use some of the top BMW CarPlay apps on your iDrive display without restriction and test out how simple it is to operate them. To see if everything is configured properly for voice recognition, try Siri first. Simply ask Siri a question by pressing the microphone button on your steering wheel to do so. Within seconds, you should get a response.
This method will only need to be used once to enable BMW Apple CarPlay. Your iPhone will connect to CarPlay automatically the next time you start the vehicle.
Can my BMW have CarPlay?
With firmware beginning with iOS 7.1, Apple CarPlay(r) Preparation is available for all iPhone devices starting with the 5. You must have the optional additional ConnectedDrive Services, which include BMW apps, in order to utilize Apple CarPlay(r) Preparation in a BMW vehicle (6AK). Additionally, your BMW must be outfitted with Navi Professional.
Why doesn’t my BMW have Apple CarPlay?
Due to the carmaker switching its chip supplier, BMW is temporarily shipping new vehicles without Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability (via Automotive News Europe).
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto require updated software to function on the new CPUs found in many BMWs produced this year. Dealerships are advising BMW customers who purchase a new vehicle without CarPlay to wait for an over-the-air upgrade that will add the feature “by the end of June at the latest.”
It’s unclear how many BMW models are impacted, but a lot of consumers in the UK, France, Italy, and the US have complained online about receiving new cars without CarPlay. Models that are affected have the specification code “6P1” in them.
While some BMW owners may have to temporarily do without CarPlay capability, BMW is moving chip suppliers to enhance its supply chain over the long run, which could help to alleviate component shortages in the second half of the year.
With support for Digital Key, Ultra Wideband Digital Key Plus, and a feature-rich dual-screen wireless CarPlay experience, BMW provides one of the most integrated experiences with Apple’s ecosystem. BMW only began providing CarPlay in 2016 and faced criticism for charging a $80 yearly subscription charge before canceling the subscription in response to the backlash.
How can I get free BMW CarPlay activated?
I’d like to utilize Apple CarPlay in my BMW, but I seem to recall that it used to be somewhat expensive. Is there a way for me to obtain Apple CarPlay on my BMW for nothing?
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Yes! All of Apple CarPlay’s capabilities are available for free on your BMW. BMW will stop charging users a fee to utilize Apple CarPlay as of 2020. The service is easily downloaded and connected to your car without cost.
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When did BMW introduce CarPlay?
BMW CarPlay is a relatively new invention. Since it’s only compatible with 2017 and newer models, many BMW owners are unable to use it in their vehicles.
According to Apple, the full list of BMW vehicles that support Apple CarPlay as of August 2022 is as follows:
- F20 and F21 models of the 2017–2022 BMW 1 Series
- 2017–2022, BMW 2 Series, e.g., F22, F23, F45
- 2017–2022, BMW 3 Series models such the F30, F31, F34, F80, and G20
- BMW 4 Series models F32, F33, F36, F82, and F83 from 2017 to 2022
- BMW 5 Series models from 2017 through 2022, such as the G30, G31, and F90
- BMW 6 Series models F06, F12, F13, and G32 from 2017 to 2022
- 2017-2022 BMW 7 Series, for example, G11 and G12
- 2021-2022 BMW 8 Series models such the G14, G15, and G16
- 2018-2022 BMW X1, for instance, F48
- 2018–2022 BMW X2, such as the F39
- BMW X3 models G01 through 2022
- 2017-2022 BMW X4 models F26 and G02
- 2017-2022 BMW X5 (e.g., F15, G05)
- BMW X6 models like the F16 from 2017 to 2022
- 2021 – 2022 X5 M
- 2021 – 2022 X6 M
- 2018-2021 BMW i3
- 2019-2020 BMW i8
- 2019-2022 BMW Z4 G29
- 2022 i4
- 2022 iX
Apple CarPlay can be added to vehicles without factory support with the appropriate hardware retrofit, even though it is only officially supported by cars made after 2017. Read on for a few potential solutions if you’re interested in installing BMW CarPlay (including the aftermarket alternative) in your older vehicle.
Visit our guide to F30 upgrades to learn more about retrofits for the BMW 3-Series.
Has the 2017 BMW got Apple CarPlay?
Apple CarPlay is a feature that many automakers provide in their latest models, but BMW charges extra for it on every model. It’s unlikely that will change, but those who don’t use iOS or don’t like Apple’s smartphone integration system for the car may soon be cut out.
He explained, “This enables the customer to switch devices.” “Many people purchase [CarPlay] and believe it to be acceptable, but occasionally they stop using it or move to Android.”
For 2017, BMW launched CarPlay as a $300 add-on for vehicles with built-in navigation. The newest iDrive 6.0 user interface was used to introduce a wireless CarPlay configuration with charging on the 5 Series last year as well.
According to Smith, the first year of ownership of a new BMW would be free under the new scheme. Owners would then need to pay $80 a year to maintain the service after that. It would still cost less over the course of a three or four-year lease than the current alternative, he claimed.
Android Auto is not currently available on any BMW automobiles. But Smith claimed that later in 2018, Google Assistant would be available in new BMW models. The business previously disclosed that Amazon Alexa would be included with its latest models. According to Smith, more Alexa abilities will be made available later this year to operate features other than just the locks and lights of a vehicle.
Is BMW’s Apple CarPlay free?
Although the German automaker BMW was an early adopter of Apple CarPlay wirelessly, it charged for the service, ranging from a $300 one-time cost to a yearly $80 price. Now that it’s free, all 2021 BMW models even have the integration of the car keys, which is a significant plus. And for all those older BMWs, upgrading a CarPlay compatible head unit is possible, albeit with some extra work and expense.
Why aren’t Apple CarPlay settings available?
One of the best and safest methods to use your iPhone in your car is to install Apple CarPlay. The Apple CarPlay app gives you access to almost all of your phone’s functionality when you’re driving.
However, it seems that one of the frequent problems experienced by Apple CarPlay users is that CarPlay does not appear in Settings. You may activate the app and use its numerous features by going to the CarPlay Settings app on your iPhone.
Let’s say you want to join the club of Apple CarPlay users; in that case, Apple CarPlay must be enabled in your iPhone’s settings. Do not get upset if you can’t find this in your phone’s settings. In the majority of cases, the following process will enable you to rapidly fix the problem:
Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions on your iPhone. After that, click Allowed Apps to see if Apple CarPlay is turned on. If not, add CarPlay to the list of Apps That Are Allowed.
How can I make Apple CarPlay work?
CarPlay, a smarter and safer way to use your iPhone in your car, is a feature that is available in some vehicles. When you use CarPlay, the functions of your iPhone that you want to use while driving are shown right on the dashboard of your vehicle.
To begin with, confirm that your country or area and your car both support CarPlay.
Connect your iPhone to the USB port on your car’s audio if it supports CarPlay utilizing the USB port. A smartphone symbol or a CarPlay icon may be used to identify the USB port.
Press and hold the voice command button on your steering wheel to set up CarPlay if your vehicle supports wireless CarPlay. Alternatively, check sure your car is in Bluetooth or wireless pairing mode. Next, select your vehicle on your iPhone by going to Settings > General > CarPlay > Available Cars. For more details, consult the owner’s manual that came with your vehicle.
Why isn’t Apple CarPlay functioning for me?
Restart both your automobile and your iPhone. Make sure Siri is turned on. Check to see if CarPlay isn’t restricted if it can’t detect your iPhone. Make sure CarPlay is turned on by going to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions, tapping Allowed Apps, and then clicking OK.
How can CarPlay be reset?
- Select “Settings.”
- Click “General.”
- Choose “CarPlay.”
- Pick your vehicle from the list. Choose “Forget This Car” from the menu at the bottom of the screen.
- Connect your device to the stereo.
- The plugged-in iPhone should be recognized by the system. Any prompts that appear, accept them.
Can my automobile have Apple CarPlay installed?
Every significant automaker in the world, including Audi, Bentley, BMW, Jaguar, Lexus, Maserati, and Porsche, supports Apple CarPlay. Or they have already decided to include the application in upcoming auto models. In actuality, the app already supports more than 600 car models.
A smart and secure method of using your iPhone while driving is CarPlay. It allows you to phone, send messages, and look for turn-by-turn directions. Any car can have Apple CarPlay added to it.